Home > MSH Commemorates Third Anniversary of Haiti Earthquake; Continues Assistance to Strengthen the Health System

January 14, 2013

Three years after the earthquake that devastated Haiti, Management Sciences for Health (MSH) recognizes the hundreds of thousands of Haitians who died and the many more who continue to struggle in the aftermath. MSH, a nonprofit international health organization, supports the Haitian government in its efforts to develop a strong and sustainable health system.

Despite an intensive international response, many Haitians still suffer severe hardship. Three years later, more than 350,000 Haitians still live in tents and other fragile shelters, exposing them to social and environmental risks. Tropical Storm Isaac, in August, and Hurricane Sandy, in October, killed nearly 100 people and damaged homes, schools and infrastructure. Flooding from Sandy revived a cholera outbreak that has affected more than 6% of Haiti’s population and killed almost 8,000 since October 2010. Meanwhile, poor access to essential health care services is an ongoing challenge.

In the long term, success will rely on the Haitian people’s ability to take the lead on improving healthcare service delivery. MSH’s projects in Haiti reflect this guiding principle—not just for Haiti but for all developing countries, especially states emerging from disaster or conflict.

On this sad anniversary, we look not only backward but forward. MSH will continue to partner with the government of Haiti and other key stakeholders, delivering technical assistance for health systems strengthening, with an eye towards the future of Haiti.